R.I.P. Guru (1966-2010)

Legendary rapper Guru has lost his battle with cancer, according to the DJ Premier blog.

The blog, approved by Premier who produced Gang Starr’s classic albums with Guru, has posted the following statement. It can’t be ignored that the comments in relation to DJ Premier on said statement are either really sad, or really fishy, depending on what view you want to take, but we’re going to let those parties knowledgeable of the situation sort that out and simply take a moment to appreciate one of hip-hop’s all time greatest:

“Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.”

According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.

Since the onset of illness, Guru tried to live a “normal” life as an influential and outstanding musician, loving father, family man, and best friend. Doctors encouraged Guru to think positive that the cancer can be arrested and that a full recovery is possible but several special treatments including hard hitting chemotherapies failed.

While in hospital with terminal cancer, Guru wrote a letter, which was provided by Solar, to his fans addressing his illness, his shining music career, his family and loved ones.

“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” read the official Guru statement.

“My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.”

The statement reads on, “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

…

Guru’s longtime partner, Solar, issues an official statement about the lost of the legendary MC which you can read below:

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.”

Sean Price – Kimbo Price (Artwork)

Looks like Sean Price’s Kimbo Price has been scheduled for an October 27, 2009 release! The mixtape, which serves as the prelude to Sean Price’s Mic Tyson album, will feature guest appearances from Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Ruste Juxx, Torae, Skyzoo, Royce Da 5’9″, and Poison Pen, as well as production from PF Cuttin’. Props to my homie Fred Bear!

R.I.P. Roc Raida (1972 – 2009)

Another hip hop icon has passed away, and way too soon at that. Rest In Paradise Roc Raida… you will surely be missed, though I know you’re gonna get things poppin’ in Heaven. Here’s the official statement from his family, which gives insight into his unexpected death.

“Anthony Williams p/k to the world as The Legendary Grandmaster Roc Raida has passed away unexpectedly today September 19 2009. He is survived by his wife, three lovely daughters, mother and friends. Raida was recently in an mixed martial arts accident, something that he has been practicing for several years. Although he had under gone two surgeries with great success, was released to an inpatient physical therapy facility and was in great spirits the past few days. This morning he started to have complications and passed. The family asks for privacy at this time.” (via HipHopDX)

I think its important that the world remembers him for his excellence, and with that said, check the videos below of Roc Raida.

Jay-Z – Blueprint 3 Tracklist

Jay-Z has released the long anticipated tracklist for his upcoming Blueprint 3 album. The tracklist includes features from Alicia Keys, Mr. Hudson, Kanye West, Rihanna, Drake, J. Cole, Kid Cudi, and others. Looks like Jay-Z is giving the next generation of artists some shine, but no Nas? Ehhh.. Check the tracklist below.

01-What We Talkin’ About (feat. Luke Steele (of Empire Of The Sun))
02-Thank You
03-D.O.A. (Death Of Auto-Tune)
04-Run This Town (feat. Rihanna and Kanye West)
05-Empire State (feat. Alicia Keys)
06-Real As It Gets (feat. Young Jeezy)
07-On To The Next One (feat. Swizz Beatz)
08-Off That (feat. Drake)
09-A Star Is Born (feat. J. Cole)
10-Venus Vs. Mars
11-Already Home (feat. KiD CuDi)
12-Hate (feat. Kanye West)
13-Reminder
14-So Ambitious (feat. Pharrell)
15-Young Forever (feat. Mr. Hudson)

Saigon – Warning Shots 2 Album Cover

The official album front cover artwork for Saigon‘s Warning Shots 2 album/mixtape, which is slated to drop on September 29, 2009 on Amalgam Digital. Warning Shots 2 will feature production from Just Blaze, Scram Jones, and Saigon (huh?), as well as guest appearances from OJ Da Juiceman (huh?), Grand Puba, and more. Greatest Story Never Told… who knows when?!

Skyzoo – The Salvation Cover and Tracklist

Skyzoo has released the official press release, cover and tracklist for his upcoming album, The Salvation. The Salvation will be released on Jamla Records / Duckdown Records on September 29, 2009. I gotta say, the album cover for The Salvation is one of my favorite album covers for 2009. Check the tracklist, and then the press release follows. Take note, aside from Carlitta Durand, Skyzoo seems to have ZERO features on this album, which could be considered his debut. With no features and an all-star production team, The Salvation is reminiscent of hmmm… I won’t dare say it til we hear the final product.

1. The Opener (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
2. Return Of The Real (produced by Just Blaze)
3. The Beautiful Decay (produced by 9th Wonder)
4. My Interpretation (produced by Best Kept Secret)
5. Popularity (produced by Nottz)
6. Like A Marathon (produced by 9th Wonder)
7. The Shooter’s Soundtrack (produced by Cyrus Tha Great)
8. Under Pressure (produced by 9th Wonder)
9. Penmanship (produced by Black Milk)
10. Dear Whoever (produced by Illmind)
11. For What It’s Worth ((produced by Eric G)
12. The Necessary Evils (produced by Needlz)
13. Easy To Fly featuring Carlitta Durand (produced by 9th Wonder)
14. Bottom Line (produced by Eric G)
15. Metal Hearts (produced by 9th Wonder)
16. Maintain (produced by Nottz)

Press Release

Brooklyn-raised emcee Skyzoo is here to remind Hip Hop fans that the music can still be true to life and heartfelt. With numerous Mix CDs on his resume, most recently, The Power of Words with DJ Drama and Statik Selektah, Skyzoo is currently preparing his first national full-length LP, “The Salvation,” in stores September 29th, via Jamla Records/Duck Down.

The Salvation will be set apart from Skyzoo’s previous Mix CD releases in various ways, however Skyzoo explains that “it’s another constant sign of elevation and growth, and it’s the most personal work I’ve ever done.” Although in the past he has released records such as “The Bodega,” “Stop Foolin’ Yourself,” and “Extreme Measures,” which were all true to life, Skyzoo promises that they will not reach the personal extent that the tracks on The Salvation will bring to listeners. Songs such as “For What It’s Worth” and “Metal Hearts” help contribute to the feeling that Skyzoo expects his audience to have; that their $15 was well spent on the album, they could relate to it, and that the project will stand the test of time.

A tactic taken by Skyzoo to emphasize the personal aspect of The Salvation was to not load the album up with features from other rappers. He states, “The moment you pick up a pen or start rhyming as a kid, all you think about is getting an album out. This album isn’t exactly the way I planned it out at 9-years-old, but it tells my story. With that being said, no one can help tell my story better than me. The Salvation is about me.”

Alongside the extremely personal element of The Salvation comes the conceptual side of the project. Theme was the name of the game for Skyzoo’s debut album, and this is evidenced in how the production was handled. According to Skyzoo, “it wasn’t really a ‘who’s hot, who’s not’ type of thing. It was more so ‘just get what sounds right.’ I got a lot of big name producers, and I also got a lot of up and comers.” Included in the production credits for The Salvation are Washington D.C.-based production team Best Kept Secret (who work in-house for Wale), Seattle’s Eric G (who some may recognize as providing a few beats to Torae), and Cyrus tha Great, as well as 9th Wonder, Nottz (who produced the single “Popularity”), Just Blaze, Illmind, Needlz and Black Milk.

Fans have seen a sneak peek of Skyzoo’s first LP in the form of a video for a track entitled “Beautiful Decay,” produced by 9th Wonder. The video is directed by Artemus Jenkins, and sets out to reflect life in the various boroughs of New York.

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 Tracklist

The Hip Hop Chronicle UK was given the first opportunity to review Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 by Raekwon, which you can check out here. The review also confirmed the tracklist for the album, which can be found below. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 looks like its going to be absolutely crazy.

Tracklisting for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2

01. Return To The North Star (Feat. Papu Wu) (Interlude)
(Prod. Bt)
02. House of Flying Daggers (Feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)
(Prod. J-Dilla)
03. Sonny’s Missing
(Prod. Pete Rock)
04. Pyrex Vision
(Prod. Marley Marl)
05. Cold Outside (Feat. Suga Bang & Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. Atl)
06. Godfather (Feat. Inspectah Deck)
(Prod. Rza)
07. New Wu (Feat. Method Man & Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. Rza)
08. Penitentiary (Feat. Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. Bt)
09. Criminology 09 (Feat. Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. Bt & Rza)
10. Fat Lady Sings
(Prod. Rza)
11. Canal Street
12. 10 Bricks (Feat. Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. J-Dilla)
13. G-hide (Feat. Ghostface Killah)
(Prod. Negro)
14. Rockstar (Feat. Inspectah Deck & Gza)
(Prod. Rza)
15. Catalina (Feat. Busta Ryhmes)
(Prod. Dr. Dre)
16. 40 Deuce (Feat. Jadakiss & Styles P)
(Prod. Scram Jones)
17. Walk Wit Me
(Prod. Scram Jones)
18. We Will Rob You (Feat. Slick Rick, Gza & Masta Killah)
(Prod. Allah Justice)
19. Have Mercy (Feat. Beanie Sigel)
20. Surgical Gloves
(Prod. The Alchemist)
21. Nigga Me
(Prod. Dr. Dre)
22. Mean Streets (Feat. Inspectah Deck)
(Prod. Allah Mathematics)
23. Kiss The Ring (Feat. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killah)
(Prod. Scram Jones)
24. Ason Jones
(Prod. J-Dilla)

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